Mr. Frank Flannery:

I am led to believe that there are quite a few. Bear in mind, this proposal comes with a strong appeal. I am in no way an apologist for this population, as I have spent all of my life living and working in Ireland, as everyone in this room has. None the less, we view it as an opportunity to bring in additional funds to do necessary work.

There is also the possibility that those in question would then have a better relationship with the Irish people. Might the public at home not view them better if they did more for Ireland? Even if their residency status does not trigger it, they might simply desire to participate further in what Ireland is trying to do officially. That aspect is more philanthropic, but I would not rule it out. It has been proven worldwide that people with resources surplus to their requirements cannot take it all with them. There is no pocket in the shroud. The idea of dispensing one's extra funds while alive is gaining currency. We should give people opportunities to do so. We should certainly offer them the challenge. If they do not accept it, they do not accept it, but that would confirm what people say about them.

There are more reasons to do this, for example, one wants to help one's country more. Most of the people in question got a lot of help from this country to get to where they are. They could use this proposal to do extra and to give something back. That will be a part of my pitch.